Thoughts for the Day

* Holy Spirit as wind.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God, who activates all of them in everyone....

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge, according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit..... All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Every day I plug in my television and my computer, turn on the switch and they work, providing the supply of electricity is there. This is a good image for the work of the Holy Spirit. The only difference is that there is no problem with the supply. Occasionally we can be let down by electricity, but this doesn't happen with the Holy Spirit. He is the power-arm of God, and when we pray it is the Holy Spirit - the third part of the Trinity - who acts.

The Holy Spirit brings gifts to us when we pray. But there are two things to note:

• The Spirit brings us gifts He thinks we need, not what we think we need!
• The Spirit brings us gifts that are for the whole community, not just for ourselves!

What gifts do you need to help the community? Ask God for His help, and expect to be surprised!

Lord God,
may we think of others
before ourselves,
and may our prayers
be for those around us
as well as for ourselves.
We pray for increased faith,
and for gifts to help others.
Amen.